You've probably heard the term "engineered wood" if you've gone shopping for shoe cabinets, tables, or pretty much any kind of furniture. While solid wood is its equivalent, engineered wood has grown increasingly popular in Indian homes. But what precisely is it? Furthermore, how can we choose from all of the available options? Here are some fundamentals to help you comprehend and make an informed decision!
Engineered wood
What is engineered wood?
Engineered wood, also known as composite wood, manufactured board, or composite wood, is a derivative wood product formed by binding or fastening strands, particles, and other elements together with adhesives or other fixation processes to make composite materials.
Advantages of engineered wood
Because of several comparative advantages, engineered wood products may be favored over solid wood. They must adhere to application-specific criteria. Another benefit of engineered wood is its versatility and availability in a wide range of thicknesses. Even with common tools, it is simple to work. In comparison to solid wood, it is easier to cut, drill, rout, joint, glue, and fix. When compared to solid wood, the most significant benefit of adopting engineered wood is that it is significantly more cost-effective.
Disadvantages of engineered wood
Some of the adhesives used in their production are harmful, such as formaldehyde. Because particle and fiber boards absorb water, they are not appropriate for outdoor use. To complete the aesthetic, they also require an external coating such as veneer or laminate. Solid wood, on the other hand, only requires polishing to achieve the required appearance.
What are the different types of engineered wood?
Engineered wood products are manufactured primarily of the same hardwoods and softwoods that are used to make lumber. Sawmill scraps and other wood waste are also used to make some engineered woods. Engineered woods come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Let's take a look at some of the most popular varieties on the market.
1. Plywood
What is plywood?
Plywood is a wood structural panel that is often regarded as the first engineered wood product. Plywood is also made by cross-laminating veneer sheets and attaching them under heat and pressure with moisture-resistant adhesives.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of plywood?
Plywood is a highly adaptable engineered wood that can be used for a wide range of interior, structural, and exterior applications, including structural frames and interior paneling. In comparison to solid wood, it has high consistent strength, is less expensive, and comes in greater sizes. Plywood has several drawbacks, including the ability to bend and droop when given too much weight or water, as well as being more expensive than particle boards and blockboards.
2. Particle board
What is particle board?
Are you considering employing environmentally friendly wood in your home? Particle board is the best option! It's cost-effective and eco-friendly, and it's ideal for false ceilings, shelving, furniture, and woodwork. Particle board is made by pressing and extruding several types of wood waste, such as wood chips, sawmill shavings, and even sawdust.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of particle board?
Particle board is less expensive, denser, and more consistent than wood or plywood. Particle boards, on the other hand, are easily prone to moisture-induced expansion and discoloration. For a long-lasting experience, they employ paint coverings and another sealant. Due to water damage, particle boards can swell and disintegrate, making them unsuitable for use outside where they may get exposed to rain.
3. Blockboard
What is blockboard?
Are you unsure what type of wood to use in your new home? Take a look at blockboard! For doors, panels, shelves, and partitions, it's the best option. If the core runs longitudinally, it can also be used to construct robust tables. When you glue together a core of softwood strips, you produce blockboard. The strips are approximately 25mm broad and are installed edge to edge between hardwood veneers. They then use high pressure to glue this sandwich together to make block board.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of blockboard?
Blockboards are less expensive than plywood. Because they are light, they are commonly used to manufacture doors within structures. They can't be used outside because the bonding gum isn't weather resistant.
4. MDF Board
What is the MDF board?
Are you debating the sort of wood to use for your office or kitchen cabinets? Cabinets, furniture, and floors can all benefit from MDF. It's even employed in the construction of speaker enclosures. Breaking down hardwood and softwood particles into wood fibres is the initial step in making medium-density fibreboard (MDF). The wood fibres are then mixed with wax and a resin binder and pressed into panels at a high temperature and pressure. MDF offers a consistent and smooth finish. It's tough, yet it's also simple to work with.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the MDF board?
MDF is normally denser than plywood, but it absorbs water more quickly and is thus more prone to damage when used outside. MDF has a relatively smooth surface, making it ideal for painting and interior furnishings. MDF board is available in a variety of thicknesses and quality levels.
5. Laminate veneer
What is a laminate veneer?
Laminate veneer, also known as laminated veneer timber, is made up of numerous thin wood layers that are adhered together with adhesives. The layers of laminate veneer stack in the same direction, giving it a plywood-like look. The wood grain runs parallel to the length of the billet at all times.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of laminate veneer?
Like other varieties of engineered wood, laminate veneer has its own set of pros and downsides. LVL is more durable and homogeneous since it is manufactured in factories under regulated conditions. It also has a lower probability of warping or shrinking due to its composite construction. It is, however, sensitive to water damage and requires extra upkeep.
6. Oriented Strand Board
What is an oriented strand board?
Oriented strand board is a type of engineered wood made by compressing wood flakes with adhesives. Sanded or unsanded oriented strand boards are available. These are available in wide mats with good mechanical qualities.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of oriented strand board?
The fundamental advantage of an oriented strand board is that it has a high load-bearing capacity and can be used for both flooring and roof decking. They can be water-resistant depending on how they're constructed, and they're significantly less expensive and more consistent than plywood. When exposed to too much water, however, the lesser quality versions can expand by up to 15%.
7. Cross-laminated timber
What is cross-laminated timber?
Layers of solid-sawn lumber are used to make cross-laminated timber (CLT). Each layer is perpendicular to the one before it. This ensures that all of the layers are oriented in the same way. Walls, flooring, furnishings, ceilings, and roofs are all made of CLT. It's also a good option for other synthetic materials because it's environmentally friendly.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cross-laminated timber?
One of the most significant advantages of cross-laminated wood is that it is environmentally friendly. It features thicker laminations and higher structural strength than plywood. However, because it entails more design, transportation, and ancillary expenditures, it can be rather costly.
So, what kind of wood are you searching for?
Make your decision based on your intended use and location. The budget is also an important consideration when making a decision. It's difficult to tell how good these synthetic woods are, so you're better off shopping at a regular store rather than relying on middlemen. With the help of this guide, you can choose the best type of engineered wood for your home.
